Fuel filler door interlock assembly

Abstract

An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.

1. An interlock apparatus for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto, the fuel filler door being operatively connected with the interlock apparatus, the interlock apparatus comprising:
 an interlock assembly mounted with respect to the body and operatively connected to the fuel filler door; 
 wherein said interlock assembly has a first interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position; 
 wherein said interlock assembly has a second interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position: and 
 wherein said interlock assembly further includes:
 a bracket member; 
 a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member; 
 a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a refracted position; 
 wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when the fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed; and 
 wherein said pin engages a bore defined by the slidable door when in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The interlock apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said interlock assembly further includes:
 a locking arm in selective locking engagement with said bell crank member; 
 a lever member operatively connected to said locking arm and in selective contact with the slidable door; 
 wherein the slidable door is configured to engage said lever member to bias said locking arm out of locking engagement with said bell crank member when the slidable door is in the closed position; 
 wherein said locking arm is biased into locking engagement with said bell crank member when the slidable door is in the open position to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door. 
 
     
     
       3. The interlock apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said interlock assembly further includes:
 a cable having a first end and a second end; 
 wherein said bell crank member includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion; 
 wherein said first end of said cable is mounted with respect to said first arm portion; 
 wherein said second end is operatively connected to the fuel filler door; 
 wherein said second arm portion is engaged with said pin; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to bias said bell crank member to urge said pin into said extended position. 
 
     
     
       4. The interlock apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said interlock assembly further includes:
 a third arm portion provided on said bell crank member; 
 wherein said locking arm is configured to selectively engage said third arm portion to substantially limit the movement of said bell crank member; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when said locking arm engages said third arm member. 
 
     
     
       5. The interlock apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a rear jamb, said interlock assembly being mounted with respect to the rear jamb. 
     
     
       6. An interlock assembly for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto, the fuel filler door being operatively connected with the interlock assembly, the interlock assembly comprising:
 a bracket member; 
 a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member; 
 a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; 
 a locking arm configured to selectively engage said bell crank member to limit the movement of said bell crank member; 
 wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when the fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed; 
 wherein said pin engages a bore defined by the slidable door when in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door; and 
 wherein said locking arm engages said bell crank member to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is open. 
 
     
     
       7. The interlock assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a cable having a first end; 
 wherein said bell crank member includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion; 
 wherein said first end of said cable is mounted with respect to said first arm portion; 
 wherein said second arm portion is engaged with said pin; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to bias said bell crank member to urge said pin into said extended position. 
 
     
     
       8. The interlock assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a third arm portion provided on said bell crank member; 
 wherein said locking arm is configured to selectively engage said third arm portion to substantially limit the movement of said bell crank member; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to substantially prevent the opening of the selectively openable fuel filler door when said locking arm engages said third arm member. 
 
     
     
       9. The interlock assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said cable includes a second end operatively connected to the fuel filler door. 
     
     
       10. The interlock assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a torsion spring mounted with respect to said bell crank member and operable to bias said bell crank member to urge said pin into said retracted position. 
     
     
       11. The interlock assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the body defines a rear jamb, said bracket member being mounted with respect to the rear jamb. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle comprising:
 a body; 
 a selectively openable slidable door slidably mounted with respect to said body; 
 a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted with respect to said body; 
 an interlock assembly operatively connected to said fuel filler door, wherein said interlock assembly includes:
 a bracket member; 
 a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member; 
 a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position; 
 a locking arm configured to engage said bell crank member to limit the movement of said bell crank member; 
 wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when said fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when said fuel filler door is closed; 
 wherein said pin engages a bore defined by said slidable door when said pin is in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door; and 
 wherein said locking arm engages said bell crank member to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is open. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein said body defines a rear jamb and wherein said interlock assembly is mounted with respect to said rear jamb. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the interlock assembly further includes:
 a cable having a first end; 
 wherein said bell crank member includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion; 
 wherein said first end of said cable is mounted with respect to said first arm portion; 
 wherein said second arm portion is engaged with said pin; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to bias said bell crank member to urge said pin into said extended position. 
 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein said cable includes a second end operatively connected to said fuel filler door. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third arm portion provided on said bell crank member; 
 wherein said locking arm is configured to selectively engage said third arm portion to substantially limit the movement of said bell crank member; and 
 wherein said cable is operable to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when said locking arm engages said third arm member.